In order to allow for a greater participation of forest resources in the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Niger has, for almost two years, thanks to the support of FAO, in partnership with civil society, local populations and the private sector, initiated a consultation and concerted process with a view to the development of a national strategy and an action plan for the revival of the production and marketing of gum arabic in Niger. The strategy to relaunch the production and marketing of gum arabic that we want to implement fits perfectly with the objectives of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (SRP) adopted by the government and the Rural Development Strategy (SDR) currently being adopted, and is part of the
implementation of the National Action Plan to Combat Desertification and Natural Resources Management (PAN/LCD/GRN), one of the six programs of the National Environment Plan for Development Sustainable (PNEDD). Significant efforts are currently being made by the Government of the Fifth Republic, as evidenced by the financial support provided under the national budget for the implementation of this strategy. In addition to these internal efforts, the Government of Niger has undertaken to spare no effort in mobilizing external investments to finance priority programmes identified accordingly.

May all Niger's development partners who participated in the development of this strategy, in this case FAO, find here the testimony of our gratitude. I hope that they will continue with us the efforts already begun in partnership with civil society, the private sector and grassroots community organizations to
relaunch the gum arabic sector in Niger.